Chapter Text
Breaking into Kira's dorm room was horrifyingly easy.
You would think that the spoiled daughter of an oil tycoon would have better security. Yumeko was pretty sure that the Timurov’s descended from some sort of Russian royalty – not directly, but some adjacent nobility that escaped the Romanovs’ tragic end.
The lack of security was likely due to Kira’s own arrogance. After all, who in this university would think to break into Kira’s home? Yumeko was well-aware of the extensive surveillance system that Kira controlled in every corner. And if Kira’s omniscient presence didn’t scare people off, her psychotic little sister certainly would.
Riri ‘Irina’ Timurov was the only person that gave Yumeko’s antics any hesitation. Kira’s younger sister was known in wealthy circles as the illegitimate heir to the Timurov name. She was the product of an affair and, in old money crowds, that made her a stain on the family name. Her only saving grace was her father’s favour – it was evident that Arkadi valued her far more than his legitimate heir, Kira.
From memory, Riri was always that sulky kid that trailed after her big sister. Yumeko always called her Kira’s ‘chiisai kage’, her little shadow. That hadn’t changed with age, apparently. Riri still followed her sister’s every move when she was allowed to.
But Yumeko was nothing if not a gambler. She was willing to risk life and limb breaking into Kira’s dorm. She was only half-sure she would lose in a fight with Riri and she liked those odds.
In reality, Yumeko met no murderous sisters upon climbing through Kira’s window. The lock had been picked effortlessly and the dorm room was silent.
The bedroom was very Kira. A luxuriously large bed with a canopy, shelves lined with books, a plethora of expensive gadgets, and more littered her room. The scent of Japanese cypress perfumed the air. Everything was perfectly tidy and in its rightful place.
“My little control freak,” Yumeko cooed as she wandered through the room, “so freaking cute.”
As much as she would have loved to explore the rest of Kira’s dorm, she knew she had limited time. She had come here for a reason, after all.
Wordlessly, Yumeko set the gift onto Kira’s desk: a giant gift basket filled with fruits and flowers bursting out and threatening to spill over. Peaches, mangos and plums were nestled into a bouquet of peonies, hydrangeas and orchids. A small note was tucked into one of the hydrangeas that read: I’m thinking about you, too .
The note and the knowledge that Yumeko had been in her room would send Kira into a fit of rage. While she wished she could be there to see the delicious sight, Yumeko knew better than to linger long. Kira would see her gift in due time. Her message was loud and clear: there were no boundaries she wasn’t willing to cross to get Kira’s attention. This was nothing.
Yumeko wasn’t a snot-nosed girl with a puppy-crush, nor was she sixteen and scared of her own shadow anymore. She was older, smarter, more sure of what she wanted; and she wanted Kira Timurov more than anything. It was time to show her paramour that she was a worthy consideration this time.
The lipstick stain she left on Kira’s pillowcase was just for fun.
Yumeko was no stranger to being the centre of attention. For as long as she could remember, people were overly friendly and touchy with her. Gifts, favours and compliments were showered on her for no reason – people did these things to get closer to her. She knew she was a catch: beautiful, rich and with more charm in her pinky than most people had in their whole body.
But this was getting ridiculous.
She was sitting in the cafeteria and surrounded by people trying to get to her. Mary was there, of course; Yumeko made sure to drag her roommate everywhere whether she liked it or not. A student council member as her roommate was clearly a godsend and who was Yumeko to deny divine intervention on her behalf? And where Mary went, two imps seemed to always tag along. They were… charming, in their own way.
“Y-You know, if you need a tour of the club,” Ryan stuttered through his words, “I-I-I could show you around or–”
Mary looked at him with a scrunched up expression, asking, “Good God, are you having a stroke?”
Ryan snapped, “Shut up, bruv.”
Mary slammed her hands down on the table and said, “Tell me to shut up again, Ryan, and I’ll feed you to Kira’s fish.”
“Oh, here we go. You gonna dickride Kira any harder?” Ryan asked, cheeks flushed.
Yumeko thought that was the best idea she’d ever heard. Riding Kira’s dick should be Yumeko’s job alone.
Objectively, there was nothing unappealing about him. Tall, good skin, an easygoing disposition – unfortunately, Yumeko found him utterly boring. Like a pretty doormat. He could be useful if Yumeko needed canon fodder or an attack dog.
“Don’t mind them. This is their baseline.” Michael’s voice chimed in, “How are you finding St Dom’s?”
Ah, Michael. It was clear just by the way that he spoke that he thought he was better than everyone else. He prided himself on his intellect and his reluctance to socialise was worn like a badge of honour. He separated himself from the herd, so to speak.
Yumeko knew he’d be the easiest to manipulate.
She replied with a dazzling smile, “Oh, it’s amazing. The people here are everything I was hoping for.”
Michael raised an eyebrow at this. Clearly he wasn’t expecting someone to praise this viper’s nest of a school. He asked, “Out of their minds? Gambling addicts?”
Yumeko’s smile widened.
“Exactly.”
Mary stopped her argument with Ryan to chime in, saying, “Don’t mind her, she’s genuinely insane.”
Leaning right into her side, Yumeko batted her eyelashes as she said, “You’re so mean, Mary. After I let you steal my snacks, too.”
It had the desired effect. Mary’s eyes wandered down to the gap between Yumeko’s shirt and chest. Like a moth to a flame. Yumeko had missed toying with people like this; it was like sliding on a familiar pair of gloves.
“You didn’t let me do anything, I just took it.” Mary argued as she pulled away from her.
Yumeko waved her hand dismissively, “Semantics.”
It was like being a lamb surrounded by wolves. At every turn, there was a hungry mouth eager to sink their teeth into her flesh. Unfortunately for them, Yumeko was exactly where she wanted to be.
Ryan leaned forward on his elbows and gave her his most winning smile. He said, “You like snacks? I know a–”
Michael cut him off, “Please don’t recommend anything to her from Runa’s little side business. I’m convinced she’s laced it with something.”
“Bit of molly never hurt anyone,” Mary murmured.
Ryan’s eyes went wide at this as he asked, “They’re drugged?”
Mary thought for a long moment.
“Maybe not all of them.”
The idea of some of the brownies being drugged was enticing to Yumeko. She wondered what the odds were if she were to pluck one up and eat. Just thinking about it got her hot and bothered. Briefly she wondered if Kira would be interested in seeing Yumeko a little intoxicated and compromised like that; Yumeko knew for sure she’d love to see Kira that way.
“What fun,” Yumeko mused.
Michael sat down opposite Yumeko and bumped shoulders with Ryan. It did not feel like a friendly, brotherly gesture. Rather it felt like peacocking. And judging by Ryan’s grumpy face, he agreed with that sentiment.
“Clearly these two are a lost cause.” Michael said, “If you actually need a tour guide or someone to study with in this godforsaken place, call me.”
Mary spoke in a high-pitched, mocking tone, “Oh my god, Michael, your brain is so big. Your hair is so curly, can I touch it?”
“Shut up, Mary.” Michael snapped with a strained smile.
Mary gestured at them with her hands, saying, “How about both of you step off of Freshie here? Obviously she’ll just ask me for help. Hello? I’m her roommate.”
Michael narrowed his eyes, “Have you even attended a single class this year?”
A pause followed. Yumeko grinned at the sudden silence.
“It’s optional,” Mary argued with an eye roll, “I’m passing and that’s all that matters.”
Yumeko had flawless grades, in truth. Her academic talent had never been an issue; even as a child, she was no stranger to trophies and certificates of achievement in school. She inherited her family’s mathematical inclination and used it for her one, true love: gambling. Her degrees were focused on game design and development for that reason.
Her parents would roll in their graves if her grades started slacking now.
Ryan snapped a finger at Mary in agreement, saying, “C’s get degrees.”
A momentary truce was established as Mary dapped him up.
“It’s true.”
Yumeko supposed it was time to jump in. She did want to eat her lunch in relative peace, after all. She smiled at all of them, saying, “Looks like I have plenty of people to ask for help. How ever will I choose?”
“Oh, I doubt you will.”
There was the voice Yumeko thought of every night. She felt her entire body thrum with joy as she turned to find the source of that wonderful voice.
Kira was already strolling towards her, flanked by an oddly-menacing group of people. Yumeko vaguely recognised them as some members of the student council. They weren’t relevant to Yumeko currently and so she paid them little attention. As always, it was Kira alone who earned her attention entirely. She looked beautiful today as she always did; hair perfect, clothes ironed, nails sharp enough to cut into skin.
Unfortunately, Riri was there too. She wore that mask she always wore and her gaze was just as disdainful as ever. She never cared much for Yumeko, even when they were children.
It was hard to foster a friendship when they were both vying for Kira’s affection.
“Kira-san.” Yumeko called, “Did you like your gift?”
Her body was turned to face Kira and honey dripped from Yumeko’s gaze as she looked up at Kira. It was a stark contrast to the playful but a bit distant behaviour she had earlier with her friend group. The distance in her feelings were obvious and insurmountable.
Instead of Kira, the girl with the eyepatch chimed in and said, “Thanks for the fruit, freshie. Those mangos were so good.”
Of course Kira didn’t eat the fruit. Yumeko didn’t expect her too; the woman was far too paranoid to eat out of Yumeko’s hand. Not yet, anyway.
A more lacklustre, emptied-head boy added on, “Where did you even get the mangos?”
Dori and Chad. Two of Kira’s minions on the council. They were fun. Yumeko was already planning how best to exploit these simple-minded creatures. Yumeko’s eyes were sparkling with joy as she thought about the possibilities.
Finally, Kira spoke.
“Cute stunt, Yumeko. Do it again and Riri will skin you into a new coat.”
Behind her, Riri made a throat-cutting motion with her thumb along her neck. Yumeko barely refrained from rolling her eyes at this display. To her, Riri would always be that annoying, little girl that she and Kira would hide from. This loyal knight facade was a joke to Yumeko.
Ignoring her, Yumeko turned her attention back to Kira and asked, “You didn’t like the flowers? Those were your favourites from mommy’s greenhouse.”
The blood that rushed to Kira’s cheeks from this statement was a delicious sight to behold. Her blush looked like the setting sun with the deep and warm hues.
Yumeko hadn’t been lying, either. She remembered that Kira loved those flowers from when they were just girls. Keiko, her mother, loved everything botanical and had set up a wonderful, little greenhouse in their estate. Kira spent plenty of time there just admiring the flowers, sometimes even drawing and painting them.
She still kept those drawings from Kira. To this day. Hydrangeas had always been featured in Kira’s art.
With a bit of bite to her words, Kira snapped, “Stop dredging up the past. You reek of desperation.”
“I’ve missed your vitriol.” Yumeko said with a pleased sigh, “Do you do weddings? As the bride?”
Kira breathed out a curse in Russian before saying, “I’m talking to a brick wall. You are just as dense as always.”
“That almost sounded like affection, Kira.”
“On what fucking planet?”
Arguing with Kira felt like a warm embrace that always ended in bruises. Like a kiss pressed to the fist just before it struck. Dangerous and far too exquisite to resist. Yumeko wanted to nestle herself as far as she could into Kira’s mind, her aggravation and protests be damned.
Yumeko cooed as she rose to her feet, “It’s sweet that you came all the way over here to talk about my gift. Would you like to have lunch together? Your friends can stay, too. And little Riri. She’s so expressive.”
The woman in question just stared at Yumeko with barely contained resentment.
Kira deadpanned, “I would rather let Chad explain his crypto-currency bullshit.”
Chad stepped forward and began to protest: “Hey! It’s completely–”
Runa, the onesie girl, proceeded to whack him on the back. He didn’t say anything further as he cradled his throbbing head. Yumeko giggled at their antics before looking at Kira who was now walking towards her.
Kira was only a foot away now. She reached down and pinched Yumeko’s chin between her fingers. The tips of her fingers scratched lightly against Yumeko’s skin, the sharpness making her skin bloom with goosebumps. How wonderful would it feel to have those nails scratching bloody ribbons down her back? How delicious would it feel to have them digging into Yumeko’s jugular as–
“My point stands, Jabami. Don’t play games with me. You’ll lose more than just the game,” Kira murmured.
Her voice was low and stern. It felt like love to Yumeko, even as Kira laid a gentle but firm tap against her cheek. The not-quite-slap would certainly be featured in future wet dreams, that’s for sure.
As Kira and her little council stalked off, Yumeko giggled and waved after her retreating form. What an exciting encounter. Yumeko was already longing for the next time those blue eyes would look at her again.
“Isn’t she just the cutest?” Yumeko asked.
Mary let out a snort, saying, “Yeah… cute as a piranha.”
Yumeko let out a dreamy sigh.
“Exactly.”
Saint Dominic’s had many wonderful amenities. One of Yumeko’s favourite parts about the university was its location; if you couldn’t find what you wanted on campus, almost everything was a short drive away. Yumeko had found a boxing gym only a five-minute drive from her dorm.
She was in need of a workout. Desperately.
Almost every Jabami child was taught some form of martial arts. It was a rite of passage: karate, jiu-jitsu, or anything that built discipline and control. Physical prowess wasn’t valued nearly as much as academic excellence in her family, but no one stopped her when she chose boxing.
It was a hobby she had kept up well into her adulthood. She wasn’t about to stop now.
She had been punching the bag for almost an hour now. Her muscles were screaming in the best way and her lungs weren’t always cooperating with her; the one time she took a break was because she tasted blood in the back of her throat. The speakers were pumping out Yumeko’s curated playlists: everything from Chuu to Brazilian phonk made the gym walls shake.
Physical exertion was healing for Yumeko. It was a way to get pent-up emotions out of her body instead of clogging up her arteries. She would much rather do a specific cardio session with Kira but since that’s not currently an option for her, boxing will have to do.
This bit of solace was interrupted by a phone call. Somehow, Yumeko already knew who it would be.
She used her teeth to undo her boxing gloves but kept her wrappings on – they were a bitch to redo. She had to wipe her hands to rid herself of the sweat.
Yumeko put on an easy voice, saying, “Hello, uncle.”
Arkadi Timurov, notorious Russian oil tycoon, was not a man to be treated lightly. He commanded the attention of all when he entered a room. Throughout Yumeko’s childhood, the brief encounters he had with him made that clear. He could be doting and fair but he was never a joke.
If St Dom’s was a viper’s nest, Arkadi was an eagle with a serpentine appetite.
“Good evening, Yumeko.” Arkadi’s monotone voice answered back, “Have you settled in well? I trust all was sorted for you.”
Yumeko’s chest heaved from the recent workout. She let out a steadying breath before saying, “It was. You were generous with all the amenities you provided.”
The low rumble that came through the phone speakers was apparently his laugh. He said, “Of course. You are family.”
It was dangerous to be considered family by a Timurov. A friend could be treated well but always kept at a safe distance; family had responsibilities attached to it. Responsibilities that Yumeko was already burdened by.
“How can I help you?” Yumeko asked, her voice light.
Arkadi asked, “How are my daughters? Anything… noteworthy?”
Yumeko stifled a scoff. She found it odd how a grown man would go to such lengths to sniff for weakness and gossip about his own daughters. Her own father, Jo, had never been so strange as to investigate young girls like this. But in one way, she had to be grateful for Arkadi’s odd behaviour; without it, she wouldn’t be at St Dom’s right now.
For all his appearances, Arkadi was a man who saw enemies lurking in every shadow. He was convinced that weakness lingered in his own household and it was Yumeko’s job to be his bloodhound – to track the scent of betrayal and sink her claws into it.
Yumeko’s voice was even as she spoke, “Riri doesn’t have much of a presence on the campus. Most people just see her as Kira’s attack dog.”
There was a pause.
“Is that how you see her?” Arkadi asked.
It was a loaded question. One wrong word, a single off-colour comment about his precious daughter, and Yumeko will have signed her own death warrant.
She chose her words carefully, saying, “I’ll make a judgement when I get more than silence out of her.”
He hummed before asking, “Actions are louder than words, no?”
“That’s left to be seen,” Yumeko replied, “but for now, I’ll reserve judgement.”
It was so obvious that he was fishing for compliments about Riri. His doting behaviour sickened Yumeko to no end. He asked her to investigate and she would do so; not ass-lick Riri at every given opportunity to please him.
What was the word they used in English? Double-agent? Yes, that was Yumeko. Arkadi hired her to spy on his own daughters but he didn’t truly know where her loyalties lied. A man like him only trusted in a few things, and very rarely did that include family. To him, people were easy to understand – they would never rise above base behaviours and wants. If he dangled enough money in front of their face, he believed he could buy anyone. Even Yumeko.
He didn’t realise that Yumeko would rather gauge out her own eyeballs that work against Kira. Blood of the covenant was thicker than water of the womb.
For now, she would remain the Judas of this narrative. She would bide her time well.
“And little Kira?” Arkadi asked, his voice clipped, “How is she… progressing?”
The barely restrained contempt made Yumeko’s free, dangling hand curl into a fist. She reminded herself not to lose her shit over the smallest slights against Kira but it proved difficult.
Yumeko replied, “She’s the student council president of the Kakegurui club. No small feat, I’m told. People are afraid to breathe around her. I heard she was using some of the house pets for archery practice yesterday.”
That tidbit brought a smile to her face.
Arkadi made a small grunting noise and asked, “Is there any resistance?”
Of course he wouldn’t just accept the praise for Kira. Of course he would have to poke and prod at it, hoping for something to detract from the information.
“None. Nobody except me,” Yumeko said as the corners of her lips curled up.
“You?” Arkadi asked.
“I broke into her home to give her a gift.” Yumeko admitted with a shrug, “How else am I supposed to court her?”
He didn’t laugh – Arkadi Timurov never laughed. But he did make a pleased, humming sound which was the closest you could get to it. Normal fathers wouldn’t be happy that their daughter’s room was broken into by potential suitors. Arkadi was far from normal.
He said, “Very good. How did she take it?”
“Threatened to skin me into a coat.”
Which wouldn’t be a horrible end. To be wrapped naked around Kira–
“Interesting. You may continue. Do not forget that you are my eyes and ears there, yes?” He said in that tone that brokered no argument.
Yumeko’s reply was smooth and steady, “I’m aware. Goodbye.”
The call clicked and Yumeko was left alone with her thoughts. It was exhausting to play the Judas like this. To hide her true face to the world and to wear a different mask to each person. Manipulating people was fun, undoubtedly, but when there was no respite in sight it grew tiresome.
Above all, Yumeko just wanted to be real to one person.
Her mind was made up a long time ago. Her fingers moved fast across her screen, swiping away from several messages she had left unread. Most of them were people trying to shoot their shot so Yumeko didn’t bother to entertain them. Not yet, at least.
She only cared about one person.
She knew that Kira would come. There was no way she’d resist the temptation to gain the upperhand; that’s just who Kira was to her core. Her need to win, to feel secure in possessing the advantage, dictated her every decision.
It was cute but predictable.
Yumeko wore jasmine perfume and her best outfit. A well-fitted blouse, a cute skirt and knee-high boots just screamed femininity and that’s what Yumeko was gunning for. She wanted there to be no mistake that she was here for a date, first and foremost. She stood in front of the entrance to the aquarium, which was blessedly low-traffic today; that’s one of the reasons why she had chosen it for their date.
She had Kira’s gift held in one hand and a map of the aquarium’s many routes in the other. She knew that she simply had to wait patiently and the object of all her desires would appear.
Sure enough, the world hummed and sang as Kira stepped into her field of vision. What a beautiful sight was she and all for Yumeko to marvel at. Dark, blue lips were pressed into a thin line that matched exquisitely to her piercing, blue eyes. She wore a silk shirt and wide-legged pants underneath a long, brown coat. Jewellery worth more than Yumeko’s tuition adorned her neck, ears and fingers, all glinting under the sunlight. For once, Kira had her hair tied back into a ponytail.
Yumeko wanted to stain her neck with endless hickies. She already ruined Kira’s pillowcase with her lipstick stain, why not her silk shirt too?
“Kira. How are you more beautiful every time I see you?” Yumeko asked, eyes alight with affection.
Kira did not return this affection. She spoke through gritted teeth, saying, “I swear, Yumeko, if you’re wasting my time with this romantic shit again–”
Yumeko held up a single finger and grinned, saying, “Hold that thought. I have a gift for you.”
The other woman did pause, albeit begrudgingly. Yumeko pulled the drink from behind her back forward and presented it to Kira.
“Your usual order. I had them add an extra helping of berries. You’ll need the energy,” Yumeko added as she pushed the drink into Kira’s stomach.
Kira stared down at the drink for a moment, floored. She glanced between Yumeko and the drink. She was likely affronted that A) Yumeko had dared to touch her and B) that Yumeko even knew her smoothie order well enough to prepare it ahead of time.
“How do you know my smoothie order?” Kira asked through gritted teeth, “You’ve been in the country for all of three days.”
Because I would crawl through broken glass if it meant you were pleased with me for a moment.
Yumeko merely smiled and said, “I have my ways.”
Her “ways” was Chad. The guy was dumb as bricks and couldn’t think his way out of a cardboard box but that made things easy; all Yumeko had to do was flash him a tasteful side-boob and he folded like a lawn chair. Men were so easy.
Kira didn’t probe any further. She simply wrapped her hand around the base of the cup and took it from Yumeko. In return, Yumeko pulled away and pretended like she didn’t have electricity running through her body the moment their hands touched.
She would be touching herself tonight with that same hand, guaranteed.
Instead of voicing this, Yumeko held out the aquarium map and said, “For you. I want you to take us down whatever route calls to you.”
Now Kira looked like someone had shaken her awake.
“What?” Kira snapped incredulously, “Yumeko, what the fuck is this? I’m not actually going on a date with you.”
She giggled and said, “You don’t have to. Treat this as… an educational experience.”
Kira scoffed, asking, “You think you are going to teach me about aquatic life?”
“No, silly. You’re gonna teach me. Duh,” Yumeko replied.
She decided to summon her courage to step forward, pressing the map against Kira’s other hand before looping their arms together. Giving Kira little choice in the matter would get the ball rolling; Yumeko just couldn’t give her an opportunity to think or back out of this little date.
The two of them walked inside. Yumeko beamed while Kira huffed and puffed the whole way through.
Kira grumbled, “So you lied about having information. Wonderful.”
Yumeko turned to look at her, brown eyes boring a hole into Kira’s soul as she asked, “Have I ever lied to you?”
The question felt cloying in Yumeko’s mouth. How could she ask such a thing when she was technically already feeding Kira’s father information? No matter how much Yumeko’s intention was to protect Kira, that fact did not change; her behaviour was that of an Iscariot, through and through.
Kira levelled her with a look and said, “You tell me.”
Yumeko’s heart leapt in her chest. God was surely cruel to put such a beautiful woman beside her that she couldn’t kiss senseless. She steadied herself and answered honestly: “Never. Not even once. I never will.”
She would tell Kira the truth today. She just… needed to organise the dominoes before they fell. She needed time. She needed Kira’s claws to retract and for her eyes to stop burning through Yumeko’s very soul.
Kira stared at Yumeko for ages. She seemed to be searching for something in Yumeko’s eyes. Yumeko had no idea if Kira found what she was looking for when the other woman looked away, jaw clenched and blushing. She almost didn’t care.
Her hand flexed at her side; how desperately did Yumeko long to reach out and cup Kira’s cheek.
“I do have information for you. I just want you all to myself for a bit. Any complaints?” Yumeko asked, wearing the familiar mask of the Cheshire cat.
Kira sighed before saying, “I’m just here for the sealife. You’re a necessary evil.”
She’s practically dragged away squealing after that. It was a tried and true method: dangle an aquarium visit over Kira’s head and she’d follow in a heartbeat. Thank god for predictability.
Of course, the first visit was to the shark tanks. Hundreds of gallons of saltwater tanks were built into this exhibit and sharks of all kinds were swimming around them. They walked through the tunnel together at a glacial pace, illuminated by the blue waters above.
Yumeko spotted an old favourite and smiled ear to ear. She pointed at them, saying, “Oh, this brings back memories.”
The tiger shark swam by without a care in the world. Kira followed her gaze and scoffed when she realised what Yumeko was referring to. She asked, “Memories of you being an absolute menace? Yes, it does. Why did you even jump into the tank?”
Yumeko laughed softly and said, “I was tempting fate. They looked so scary through the tank with all those teeth. I wanted to see what they’d do if I got up close.”
Her father had yanked her out of the tank like a naughty pet who climbed into the treats container. She had been wet to the bone and laughing hysterically as she was pulled out. She would never forget the horrified look on little Kira’s face – she still wasn’t sure if Kira had been more worried about Yumeko or those damn fish.
“Was sticking your hand in the tank not an option?” Kira asked.
“Now where’s the fun in that?” Yumeko retorted.
Kira rolled her eyes as walked further in, saying, “Our definitions of fun are very different.”
Yumeko chased after her. When she was once more by the other woman’s side, she spoke quietly, “I also wanted you to look at me like you looked at those damn sharks. That might’ve been my first time experiencing jealousy.”
This earned Kira’s attention. The woman turned to look at Yumeko with an unreadable expression. She seemed to be studying Yumeko’s face while Yumeko was trying her best to look as innocent as possible. If she had dog ears, they’d be drooping right now.
Kira never replied to this statement.
The octopus exhibit was one of Yumeko’s favourites. There was a section for people to touch the smaller octopus while the bigger fuckers were safely drifting through the saltwater enclosure far from wandering hands. Yumeko was all too happy to dip her hands into the shallow pool and gently prod the creatures within. Kira did not.
“Ooh, I love these little guys!” Yumeko cooed as she handled a particularly friendly, purple octopus.
The disbelief was thick in Kira’s voice: “Of all the animals here, the octopus is your favourite?”
“I heard once that an octopus memorised the break schedules of its guard so it could make its escape attempt. I think it was even successful.” Yumeko answered as she turned to look at her date, “That kind of intelligence is terrifying. I love it. And look at their little suckers! Terrifying but cute.”
Kira let out a little noise. It was almost a laugh. That was progress in Yumeko’s book. Maybe she just needed to lay the cuteness on thick.
“Sounds familiar,” Kira snarked.
Yumeko raised an eyebrow and wore a shit-eating grin as she asked, “You think I’m cute?”
Kira deadpanned, “That’s what you focus on?”
A giggle was the only answer Kira received. Yumeko was already dragging them off to another exhibit, her hands cold and her cheeks hot.
Penguins were always a welcome sight. The sign in this exhibit stated that they were Adélie penguins which were native to Antartica. Yumeko was more of an emperor penguin kind of gal, but any penguin was a good penguin in her eyes. Look at the little flippers!
The two of them stood with the other visitors by the giant floor to ceiling glass panels that protected the animals. They waddled like pregnant women, unless they were in the water and shooting around like torpedos.
“Alright, kaicho .” Yumeko drawled the word out, “Tell me about these guys.”
Kira gave her a guarded look before asking, “You… actually want to know?”
Yumeko bumped their shoulders together as gently as she could. She leaned closer and said, “I specifically chose an aquarium because you love everything that lives in water. I want to hear you talk about it. Really, Kira, I do. I haven’t heard it in years.”
It physically hurt to reopen these old wounds but it apparently paid off; Kira looked as vulnerable as Yumeko felt. She watched as Kira swallowed and looked back towards the penguins. Would it be wrong to simply stare at her forever like this?
“You see those pebbles?” Kira asked.
She pointed to the multiple piles of pebbles littered about the penguin enclosure. Lots of the penguins were congregating on top of or around these pebbles.
Kira continued and said, “Penguins use them to court each other. Pebbles keep the nest dry and warm. It’s a sign of affection.”
Just then, a penguin came storming up the snowy hill with a pebble latched tightly in his beak. He was running towards one of the penguins currently roosting atop her mighty pebble mountain. The image of a labour of love, indeed.
“Maybe I should’ve brought you a pebble instead of a smoothie,” Yumeko said, only half-joking.
Kira let out a bark of laughter at this and Yumeko could’ve died happy hearing this.
“I would throw the pebble at you.”
Yumeko winked.
“I might enjoy that.”
“Freak.”
A comfortable silence settled between them. Yumeko watched as the penguins traded pebbles and preened each other. Love was universal, it seemed. Even creatures as small as these weren’t able to avoid the unstoppable force humans found themselves also at the mercy of.
Yumeko’s heart shuddered in her chest. She grabbed at her shirt instinctively and felt Kira’s eyes on her. With a lump in her throat, she asked, “They mate for life, don’t they?”
“These ones do. Almost always,” Kira murmured.
When had Yumeko been so vulnerable? When was the last time she allowed herself to drop her mask just a little? Months? Years? Why did all of her defenses crumble so easily whenever Kira was around?
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Yumeko mused, “They’re such simple creatures but they get to keep a slice of joy some of us never have.”
Kira’s tone was grim as she asked, “The joy of being stuck with one person for the rest of your life?”
“Sometimes that person is all you need. Your better half.” Yumeko replied, her own voice tight with emotion, “My parents had that.”
Beside her, Kira stiffened up. The lump in Yumeko’s throat doubled in size. Memories of her mother’s cheeky smile and her fathers strong but gentle hands flashed in her mind. They never lingered for long; they slipped through Yumeko’s fingers like smoke.
“How many years has it been now?” Kira asked.
Their eyes met. Yumeko smiled weakly.
“Four.”
Kira nodded. Softly, she asked, “Does it get easier?”
The knife twisted ever so much deeper in her chest. Yumeko swallowed and said, “If it does, it hasn’t happened yet.”
Sixteen. She had been sixteen years old when her whole world shattered. Her parents weren’t supposed to be gone for long – just a party, they said. They would be home before midnight. They promised her that. She had been waiting all night in her room, ready to surprise them with the cookies she had baked.
Keiko and Jo Jabami never came home. The drunk driver who hit them head-on never went home, either.
There was no anchor in Yumeko’s life. Her parents were dead and she couldn’t even avenge their death. All she had was an endless sea of grief and no idea what to do with it. They say that grief was the proof that you had loved that person with your entire being. Yumeko had loved them more than she loved herself sometimes, and she choked on the grief every night.
And as horrible as the grieving process was, there was one thing that Yumeko had never forgotten. She never forgot Kira’s gentle hands rubbing her back as she sobbed for hours in her arms. She never forgot the songs Kira murmured in her ears until she fell asleep, exhausted from screaming and crying. She never forgot how Kira held her up as her parents’ coffin was lowered into the ground.
They wanted it that way. Two bodies, one coffin, intertwined forever beneath the earth.
Yumeko had been a shell of herself during the funeral. The only light at the end of that tunnel had been Kira.
“I will never be able to repay the kindness you showed me, Kira.”
Her words were firm. There was no denying the truth of them. Not to Yumeko. No matter what Kira might try to claim or deny, this was an undeniable truth to Yumeko. The fire in her eyes must have been fierce because Kira flinched when their eyes met.
Kira looked away, saying, “I just let you cry all over my dress. I threw the damn thing out after you got snot on it.”
Her words were dismissive but weak. It was almost sweet. Yumeko said, “You could’ve pushed me off. You could’ve twisted the knife. You didn’t have to fly to Japan.”
“My father expected me to attend,” Kira countered.
They both knew she was wrong. Yumeko was too tired to argue, though. She merely reached up and tucked a piece of Kira’s hair behind her ear. It felt like silk against her fingertips.
“You hide behind a veneer of apathy, Kira. You always have. It’s endearing but flimsy. I see right through you,” Yumeko said with reverence and fury in equal measure.
Kira was clearly affected by the emotion pouring out of Yumeko. Her breathing came out shallow and her lips parted wonderfully. Yumeko never wanted to look away.
“Think what you want,” Kira whispered in dismissal.
Yumeko gave her a small smile and leaned in close.
“Is that permission to think of you?”
Kira stomped off away from Yumeko and it felt like a victory. Yumeko trailed after her like a lovesick puppy.
They continued throughout the exhibits, trading barbs (Kira) and taunts (Yumeko) as they explored. Kira was well-versed in everything aquatic; it was like having a personal tour guide. Yumeko didn’t bother to read any of the informative signs littered throughout the aquarium when she had Kira rattling off facts like this.
It was only when Yumeko saw a particular fish that she interrupted Kira’s speech about jellyfish diet and biology.
“Fugu!” Yumeko cried as she ran towards the enclosure.
The pufferfish was already scuttling away when Kira walked over to her side. She looked at the fish in question before saying, “It kind of looks like Dori.”
Yumeko let out a small laugh as she realised how accurate Kira’s statement was. She asked, “Is that the girl with the eyepatch eyeing up Michael?”
Kira didn’t answer her. Instead, her eyes narrowed and she turned to look at Yumeko in barely restrained rage. She asked, “Do you usually bring up other people when you’re on a date?”
If it were possible, Yumeko might’ve started levitating when she realised Kira was jealous. Jealous! That meant that Yumeko had even the fraction of a chance. She beamed from ear to ear as she asked, “So you admit this is a date?”
Kira’s cheeks tinged pink as she snapped, “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re cute when you’re in denial.” Yumeko replied before looping their arms, “Come on, tell me about this one.”
“You already know about this one. They’re ugly, fat fish that puff up and turn into a spiky ball when threatened or excited. Actually that sounds exactly like Dori,” Kira trailed off as the realisation dawned on her.
Teasingly, Yumeko said, “Now look who’s bringing up another woman on a date.”
This earned a small smirk from Kira. Yumeko might as well have won the lottery.
“Whatever.” Kira said before glaring at the fat fish, “They’re overhyped. The most interesting thing about them is the fact that they’re toxic and we still eat them.”
“Because they’re delicious.”
“...Of course you’ve eaten pufferfish.”
They were beginning to wrap up the routes available. They had been at this aquarium for the better part of an hour now and Yumeko was basking in the glow of Kira’s presence. It felt to be by Kira’s side once more. It had been years since the two of them spent so much time together. It felt right.
Kira had thrown out her empty smoothie cup by now and she kept the aquarium map tucked into her coat pocket. Yumeko never carried a bag when she knew Kira would be around; the woman was a walking bag holder with pockets galore.
Eventually, the pair stumbled towards the turtle exhibit. A few loggerhead turtles were swimming around. Some were even snacking on… whatever that was in its mouth. Yumeko did a little happy dance before skipping over to the aquarium glass. She was close enough now to fog up the glass with her breath.
She looked back at Kira and pointed at the swimming creature, saying, “They’re so cute. Look at its little face.”
“There’s a good chance that thing is older than you,” Kira remarked as she watched the turtle pass by.
Yumeko’s eyes widened as she asked, “Really?”
Kira nodded, saying, “They live almost as long as humans. And they prefer to eat meat, believe it or not.”
Her mind wandered back to Mary’s words. Did Kira really have any carnivorous fish on hand that she fed people to? Honestly… it would be right up Kira’s alley. The woman loved anything that was deemed a little odd or broken; her little gambling den was proof of that and her council members even more-so.
“Does that endear them to you?” Yumeko asked.
Kira gave her a dark look, saying, “They just have a familiar parenting style.”
Tilting her head to the side, Yumeko asked, “Oh?”
Kira stepped towards the glass. Or rather, she stepped closer to Yumeko. Her voice was taut with frustration as she spoke, “Each clutch of turtle eggs hatch on a beach and they have to fight against the current and predators to survive. Their parents make the babies and then dump them. Make them fend for themselves. No affection. No help. Sink or swim.”
There were a thousand different things Yumeko could’ve said in that moment. Probably more than half of those were something clever or insightful. Instead, all she could bring herself to say was: “You’re clearly swimming against the current, Kira.”
Kira let out a mirthless laugh before barking out, “Yeah, well, that’s no thanks to either of my parents. They–”
The rant was over just as quickly as she began. Kira cut herself off as her whole body grew rigid. Yumeko despaired as she realised Kira considered all of this oversharing; she thought that Yumeko didn’t need to hear any of this. Or worse, that Kira didn’t want to bare her soul to Yumeko.
She walked with a wavering heart as Kira took two steps away from her. Yumeko sighed at the retreat and at the sight of Kira’s presidential mask slipping back onto her face.
“Tell me the information you promised, Yumeko.”
She reminded Yumeko so much of her father at that moment. She knew better than to make that comparison aloud, though.
“Do you trust me?” Yumeko asked instead.
“What kind of question is that?” Kira asked, her eyes dark with anger, “I trust no one.”
Despite having expected this from Kira, it wounded Yumeko all the same. She let out a long sigh as she collected herself. She was dancing on a razor’s edge with this conversation and nothing could be taken back once said.
Calmly, Yumeko said, “Then my information is useless to you.”
Kira stepped forward with a menacing look on her face. Rage fell from her body in waves and Yumeko could taste the vitriol in the air.
“Yumeko,” she snarled out in warning.
Yumeko persevered, saying, “We need some sort of trust, Kira. At least you have to believe that I would never lie to you. Otherwise what good is my word?”
She allowed the words to hang in the air between them. When had the space between them lessened this much? When did Yumeko become able to see each individual fleck of brown in Kira’s blue eyes? When did she become able to feel each of Kira’s ragged breaths tickling at her chest as they fell from her mouth?
Kira merely clenched her jaw but kept her mouth shut. She had no retort or witty barb to use against Yumeko – she considered that progress.
It was now or never.
“Your father is going to name Riri as his heir.”
The mask slipped from Kira’s face. She looked haunted under blue aquarium lights. Years of insecurity and fear made themselves known in Kira’s eyes and Yumeko made a Herculean effort not to reach out and comfort her.
In a raspy voice, Kira said, “What are you talking about?”
The heir to the Timurov oil empire. An empire worth billions and a title to be feared. Every Timurov heir had the flag of CEO passed down, a passing of the torch from firstborn to firstborn. Arkadi Timurov was going to break that cycle and skip Kira in favour of Riri. It was unheard of: the child of an affair chosen over the legitimate firstborn daughter was simply unheard of.
Arkadi was bucking convention because he believed in Riri far more than any results Kira had provided him thus far. The same Riri who shadowed Kira at every given moment.
Every moment except this one.
The heir and the spare. What a pair they made.
“I can’t explain all the details, but that much is true.” Yumeko said, “He’s going to choose Riri over you when the time comes.”
The proverbial dam broke and Kira lunged forward. She grabbed Yumeko by her blouse and pushed her up against the glass, glowering down at her. If looks could kill, Yumeko would be dead a thousand times over. And despite the murderous rage Kira had for her, Yumeko thought she never looked lovelier.
Kira’s words came out as a snarl: “You’re wrong. Fuck you, you’re wrong! You don’t know anything! I’ve done everything he’s asked. I’m council president, people flinch when I just walk in the fucking room! You think I’d fall for this?”
Yumeko’s hands gently touched Kira’s elbows. Enough pressure to be felt but gentle enough to be a clear gesture: submission.
“Kira. He’s always loved Riri more. We both know this. Just stop and think for a second.”
A thousand emotions flutter across Kira’s face. It was as if every piece of Kira was waging war inside her and there was no clear winner in sight. Yumeko was going in blind. But if there was one thing Yumeko was always willing to do, it was make a gamble.
“His faith is waning,” Yumeko murmured, “but it doesn’t have to.”
Kira laughed mirthlessly, asking, “Is this the part where you sell me poison?”
Yumeko’s hands reached up and grabbed onto Kira’s shoulders. She dug her hands into the muscles there and leaned forward until their noses nearly banged against each other. Kira flinched away instinctively but Yumeko held her at bay.
“Choose me,” Yumeko begged.
Kira inhaled sharply.
“What?”
Yumeko powered through her fear and said, “I want to be partners. Your father trusts me because we were childhood friends. He wants the two of us to be close, even you can attest to that.”
For once, Kira didn’t argue. She didn’t do anything except stare at Yumeko with a desperate expression. Yumeko prayed that Kira could feel the earnestness in her voice. That somehow her touch conveyed the truth and her eyes screamed sincerity.
“Keep me by your side. Confide in me. In return…” Yumeko licked at her lips and made her gamble, “I’ll help you keep the Kakegurui club under your thumb.”
“I don’t need you for that. The club is mine. Nobody has a quiet wank without my say-so,” Kira growled back.
Yumeko played her ace.
“Then you must know that Michael is running a side-betting business?”
Kira was frozen solid in rage. This card that Yumeko played was the final nail in the coffin of this conversation. Yumeko hadn’t been wasting her time at this university since she got here; within three days, she ferreted out Michael’s side gig and intended to serve him on a silver platter to Kira.
She just needed the right opportunity to present it to her. That time was now. Yumeko pressed forward, saying, “I can be valuable, Kira. I just… need you to trust me.”
They were locked in each other’s grip for an endless amount of time. Kira’s hands were still gripping Yumeko’s blouse so hard that her hands shook; while Yumeko was clinging to Kira’s shoulders as if the woman might disappear at any moment. They simply breathed the same air for a while, eyes searching, waiting. Wanting.
Then Kira stepped back. Well, it was more like she ripped herself away from Yumeko like she was poison. Kira straightened out her clothes and fixed her hair. Yumeko was given a brief moment to recover from being so close to her lifelong crush. She felt like her knees might buckle and her head swung something fierce.
It was only after a few minutes of Kira looking at the water behind Yumeko while chewing on her lip that she finally spoke.
Her words came out slow as she asked, “And what do you get out of this? Hm? A spot at the council? Or is it the board you’re gunning for?”
Kira grew up surrounded by vultures and vipers. Of course she expected the worst from the people around her. Who wouldn’t? Yumeko didn’t take it to heart; she took it as an opportunity to prove her worth.
Yumeko rose to her full height.
“I want what I’ve always wanted. You.”
Kira didn’t laugh. She didn’t dismiss Yumeko, either. She did something much worse; she looked at Yumeko like she believed her. It was never going to be gambling that destroyed Yumeko. It would be the beautiful, dangerous woman before her dangling hope of reciprocation in her face. Love would kill Yumeko, one way or the other.
Quietly, Kira asked “That’s it? You think I’m gonna throw you a bone just because you make yourself useful for once.”
Yumeko shook her head earnestly and said, “You just have to exist and I’ll be happy. I don’t need anything from you. There’s nothing you could give me… not unless you wanted to.”
The offer floated through the air like smoke – it never moved Kira but it certainly clung to her clothes like perfume. Yumeko couldn’t wait a moment longer in the suspense.
She extended her hand to Kira.
“Partners?”
Chose me , Yumeko wanted to beg. Stop running from me and keep me by your side. I’ll show you a true knight in shining armour. Let me be the blade the crown wields .
Entire lifetimes passed between them as they stood rooted in place. Both of them had their chests carved open and their beating hearts on display. If you listened well enough, you’d hear Yumeko’s heart beating in rhythm to the syllables of Kira’s name.
Ki-ra. Ki-ra.
Her paramour was hesitating. Yumeko could see the war that raged on in her and she ached in her inaction. She could do nothing except wait. Wait and hope. That was the worst part.
Then, Kira made her decision.
She lashed out and grabbed Yumeko by the forearm, not the hand. Fuck the handshake, then. She pulled Yumeko towards her until they were inches apart again. They were chest to chest, eye to eye. Yumeko felt dizzy with longing, with desire, with hope .
“If you fuck me over, Yumeko,” Kira growled out, “I’ll tear you apart with my teeth.”
The mental image was enough to make Yumeko squeeze her thighs together. She rasped out, “As much as I’d enjoy your mouth on me, I won’t. You have my word. Inochi wo kakeru.”
Kira’s eyebrows scrunched together.
“What does that mean?”
“I stake my life on it.”
Kira scanned her face for some time. An entire ocean was trapped within those eyes, and Yumeko was ready to drown. And just as Yumeko was unable to not glance at Kira’s lips in this moment, she wasn’t alone; Kira’s gaze wandered far too often for her to feel nothing.
The light at the end of this tunnel was blinding.
“Just say that then. Idiot,” Kira murmured.
Behind them, the water moved back and forth in an endless cycle as the animals swam far and wide. They were blissfully unaware of the pact formed between these two women. For a moment, only the two of them existed in the world.
When they eventually left the aquarium, Kira held onto the little map. It was a fact Yumeko didn’t miss.